Selecting apparatus for telephone systems.



, G. E. NICHOLAS & W. G. RICH. SELECTING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION mum DBO. a, 1903. E

' Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

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0. E. NICHOLAS & W. G. RICH.

SELECTING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION TILED DBO. 8, 1903.

949,378. Patented Feb. 15,1910.

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0. E. NICHOLAS & W. G. RICH. SELECTING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

APPLICATION IILED DBO. B, 1903.

949,378. Patented Feb. 15,1910.

3 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

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UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES E. NICHOLAS, OF COLUMBUS, OHIO, AND WILLARD Gr. RICH, OF ROCHESTER,

NEW YORK, ASSIGNORS TO NICHOLAS TELEPHONE SELECTOR COMPANY, OF ROCH- ESTER, NEW YORK, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SELECTING APPARATUS FOR TELEPHONE SYSTEMS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, Ouannns E. Nioir- OLAS, of Columbus, in the county of Franklin and State of Ohio, and \VILLARI) G. Bron, of Rochester, in the county of Monroe and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Selecting Apparatus for Telephone Systems; and we do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the reference characters marked thereon.

Our present invention relates to telephone systems and particularly to that part of the service known as party lines, in which two or more telephone instruments are arranged upon the same line or circuit, and it has for its object to provide a selecting apparatus, adapted to be operated from the central oflice, by means of which any particular instrument may be connected to the line while the remaining instruments are temporarily disconnected, and also comprising means for restoring all of said instruments to their normal position.

To these and other ends, our invention consists in certain improvements and combinations of parts, all as will be more fully described, the novel features being pointed out particularly in the claims.

In the d 'awings :Figure 1 is a front elevation of a selecting apparatus embodying the invention. Fig. 2 is an end elevation, the casing being shown in section. Fig. 3 is a view of the apparatus removed from the casing and illustrating its operation. Fig. 4 is a perspective View showing the controlling device in the operated position. Fig. 5 is a sectional view taken on the line 5 5* of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a detail view illustrating the operation of the controlling member. Fig. 7 is a detail perspective of the spring washer. Fig. 8 is a sectional view on the line 8 8 of Fig. 6. Fig. 9 is a diagrammatic view illustrating a main circuit and a plurality of instrument circuits.

Similar reference characters in the several figures indicate similar parts.

In illustrating the apparatus it is shown employed in connection with a telephone system illust 'ated diagrammatically in Fig.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed December 8, 1903.

Patented Feb. 15, 1910.

Serial No. 184,272.

9, the main circuit or line wires being indicated by 1 and 2 respectively leading from the line battery or other current generator 3, at the central station, where they may also be provided with the usual or any preferred form of signaling devices, as will be understood. Arranged in the wires 1 and 2 is a spring operated switch 4 normally standing in the open position, as shown, to disconnect the generator. Leading from the sides of the latter and opposite the sides to which the wires 1 and 2 are connected are the wires 5 and (3, terminating in the contacts 5', (5 with which a switch 7 cooperates also arranged in the main circuit wires and adapted to operate conjointly with the switch at whereby when one or the other of said switches is closed an impulse of either a positive or a negative current may be sent out over the line for purposes to be more fully described hereinafter. In addition to the battery or generator 3, there is also provided an alternating current generator 300 from which lead wires terminating in contacts 8 and 9 adapted to be connected to the wires 1 and 2 by a switch 400 for the pur pose of providing a. current for operating calling devices, as will be further explained.

The selecting apparatus may be employed with any form of electrically operated devices and the telephone instruments employed in connection therewith may be of the usual series, bridged or central energy forms, the one illustrated embodying a transmitter 10 and a receiver 11 arranged, in the usual manner, between the wires 1 and 2, terminating in the binding posts 12 andlil, on the selector, and a generator let connected to said binding posts. Each of the telephones connected to the main line constitutes an instrument, or sulrcircuit, complete in itself.

The selecting apparatus is preferably inclosed in a small casing comprising a backing or support 15 and a removable cover or front portion it Mounted on the former is a frame 17 provided with downwardly extending lugs 18 carrying a journal on which is supported an electromagnetic operating device consisting, in the present instance, of a pair of electromaguets 19 and 20. These have the usual cores and they are connected at their upper ends by a yoke 21 secured by nuts 22. Located at one side of the magnets is a permanent or bar magnet 23 having its ends extending over the ends of the electromagnets and serving to polarize them. The upper end of said magnet also extends over the frame, and between it and the latter is a spring in the form of a. washer 24, as shown in Fig. 7, whereby the permanent magnet may be adjusted relatively to the pivoted magnets by means of the securing screw 25. To increase the magnetic effect of the electromagnets the cores of the latter are beveled at their outer ends, as shown.

The instrument circuit is provided with terminals and a switch device for connecting and disconnecting them controlled by the movement of a movable member 30 which in the present form is shown as a cylinder or barrel, preferably constructed of metal and pivoted between centers on upright arms 31, mounted on the frame 17 and separated therefrom by an insulator 32. The open end of the member is closed by a cap 83, formed of insulating materials, and supported thereon is a terminal 34 attached to one side of the instrument circuit by a wire 20 Leading from the member 30 is a wire 21" joined to the line wire 2, and arranged in the member is the switch device in the form of a mercury seal 35 forming a movable contact or terminal which may be operated into and out of engage ment with the part 34. The member or barrel is pivoted at one side of its center, as shown, so that when oscillated on its pivots its movement will be amplified and the mercury caused to open or close the contact with the terminal 34. Attached to-the member is an arm 36 carrying at its outer end a target 37 which is sufficiently weighted to act as a counterbalance or means for operating the member into engagement with a stop 38 and to open the instrument circuit. The upper and lower portions of the target are colored differently and registering therewith is a funnel shaped sight aperture 39 provided in the cover 16 whereby a subscriber may readily determine the condition of the line.

The normal position of the movable member is that shown in F ig. l in which the telephone or instrument circuit is closed by the mercury seal or switch connecting the member 30 and the terminal 84 so that each instrument is, under ordinary conditions connected to the main line and the subscriber may call the central office in the usual manner; but as the member is counterbalanced by the target and will be operated thereby to open the circuits as shown in Fig. 4, controlling devices are provided which embody means to hold it in normal position and also means for subsequently actuating the member into said position,

when a particular instrument circuit is se lected, whereby one ormore instrument circuits may be connected to the main line and all the other circuits disconnected there'- from. In the illustration, such a controlling device is shown consisting of a frame 40, pivoted at 41 on arms 45, mounted on the frame 17, and embodying a finger 46 which extends beyond the member or barrel 30 and has the end 47 which engages an insulated lug or projection 48 on said member to rotate the latter to normally close the instrument circuit when the controlling device is in its normal, or lowermost position. Also arranged on the controlling device is a toothed rack 49 and a segment 50 on which is mounted a finger or trip 51 adapted to cooperate with an arm or projection 52 on the member or barrel to actuate the latter, to close the instrument circuit, after it has been released by the disengagement of the finger 46 and projection 48. As the trip may be carried past the arm 52, by the move ment of the controlling device, it is pivoted to a clip or frame 53 adjustably mounted on the segment 50 and which is secured thereto by a post 54 having a threaded end adapted to be engaged in one or another of the apertures 55 provided in the segment as shown. The movement of the trip in one direction is limited by a lug 60 arranged on its lower side and adapted to rest on the post 54 and it will be seen that this arrangement of the parts permits the controlling device to be moved upwardly causing the pivoted finger or trip to operate the member and if it is moved beyond the arm or projection 52 it will readily yield and pass beneath the latter when the device is returned to its normal position, as will be understood.

The operation of the controlling device is governed by the electromagnets 19 and 20 on which is pivotally mounted a pawl 61, journaled in a clip 62 secured by one of the nuts 22, and it is provided with the end or finger 63 (see Fig. 3) adapted to normally move the operating end of the pawl toward the rack bar 49 and to engage the yoke 21 to move said pawl out of engagement with the rack when said magnets are moved in one direction. The pivoted connection between the magnets and the pawl permits the latter to swing freely in a direction to operate the controlling device as the relative position between the parts is altered by the engagement of the end of the pawl with the rack, as will be understood. A ratchet 64 also cooperates with the rack to hold the controlling device in the actuated position and it is pivoted to the frame 17 and provided with the end having the finger 65 extending into proximity with the elec tromagnets and adapted to be engaged thereby, when the latter are operated in one direction, to disengage the ratchet at the same time the pawl (31 is disengaged therefrom.

Then several sub-circuits or instruments lead from a main line and are provided with the selecting apparatus, the terminals thereof are normally closed, each of the members 30 being in the position shown in Figs. 1 and 9 permitting any of the telephone subscribers to signal the central office in the usual manner. Iilowever, if it is desired to select or connect a particular instrument circuit to the main line the operator closes the switch 4 permitting a current of one polarity, which for convenience is denominated a positive current, to flow over the line to operate each set or electromagnets, to the position shown in full lines in Fig. 3, causing the various controlling devices to be actuated one step. This movement causes the fingers 46 to liberate their members 30 to break all of the instrument circuits, save one as will be further described. In order to permit the various selectors on the different circuits to be operated successively the various fingers or tips 51 are located at different relative positions to their respective fingers 46, corresponding to a predetern'iined number given to any particular instrument. This illustrated in the diagrammatic view Fig. 9, in which a series of instruments, indicated by I, II and III, are shown. In the first the trip or finger is arranged to operate the member or barrel when the cont-rolling member has been actuated one space or through the distance of one tooth, the second to operate it when said device has been actuated two spaces and the third three spaces. To this end and to facilitate the adaptation of a selector for use at any particular station, the segment 50 is provided with a series of apertures, as shown, each one of which corresponds to a tooth on the rack 49, in which the post 5 L may be inserted to secure the trip finger in the desired position. The signal device or bell ringer of each instrument is also controlled by the selecting apparatus so said signal will only be operated when the particular instrument circuit is closed, from the central otlice. The coils of the bell ringer indicated by 50 are arranged in a ringing circuit formed in part by the wire 65 attached to the conductor 1 and to the frame 17, or the controlling device 40, so that one of the terminals or contacts of said circuit is formed by the trip finger 51, the other terminal or contact being the arm or projection 52 on the member 30. It will be seen that by this arrangement the ringing circuit consists of the line wires 11, 2, generator, 300 conductors 1, (35, contacts 51, and conductor 21 when the instrument cir cuit is closed, and that it a current of a different class, such as an alternating current,

is sent over the line the calling devices or bells will be operated without disturbing the electromagnets it) and 20.

From the foregoing description the operation of the selecting device will be evident, but a further explanation referring particularly to Fig. 9 may serve to give a clearer understanding. in this figure the selecting devices are all shown in their nor mal position, the mercury seals or switches 35 engaging the contacts or terminals lland connecting their respective instrument circuits with the main line wires 1. and through the conductors l, and 2, 20, members 2-30 and contacts ti l, switch 37) and coin ductor 21". it it is desired to connect any particular instrument to the main line, for illustration instrument ill, the central ollice operator closes thc switch l three times causing electric impulses ot' one polarity to operate the magnets it) and 20 of each apparatus three times in the same direction. 'lhese impulses operating the magnet 20 toward the permanent magnet 2 cause the pawls to actuate all the controlling devices a distance of three teeth. This movement causes the member 30 of each selecting apparatus on the line to be released and to open their instrument circuits upon the first impulse of current sent over the line,excepting the apparatus at; the station l which is temporarily held closed by the trip 51. The second impulse actua es each of the controlling devices in a like manner breaking the instrument circuit at station I and causing the apparatus at station it to close its instrument circuit until the third impulse of current moves the trip 51 at this station out of engagementwith the member 30 and operates the trip at the station III to close its instrument circuit by engagement with its respective member 30. The selecting apparatus at the first and second stations having disconnected their instrument circuits from the main circuit, their targets 37 will indicate that tact to a subscriber wishing to use his instrument until the line is restored and the apparatus at the third station is released. \Vhcn the latter is in selected position the calling circuit is closed and by closing the switch 400 an alternating current may be sent out over the line to operate the bells at station ll l as will be understood, the switch -'l, after being operated the desired number o'l times, being left in the normal open position as shown. To restore all of the instrun'ient's to the line the pole changer, or switch 7, is closed, which engaging the contacts 5, (3. despatches a current from the battery which is of a polarity to cause the magnets 19 to be attracted toward the permanent mag- ,net 2 This movement at the electromagncts carries the pawls 1 out of engagement with the racks and also operates to disengage the ratchets 64 thus releasing the controlling members and permitting them to return to their normal position with the ends of the fingers 46 engaging the projections L8 and operating the members or barrels to close the instrument circuits.

Intercommunication may be had between two or more instruments on the same main circuit while the selectors connected to the remaining instruments will cause the latter to be disconnected by arranging in the conductor 2 of each station a circuit breaking switch, such as shown in the upper right hand corner of Fig.1, and providing in shunt therewith a high resistance for continuous currents preferably in the form of a condenser. The latter prevents the passage of a pulsating current sufliciently strong to operate the electromagnets or the signaling devices at each station but per mits the passage of a current by which speech is transmitted. lVhen it is desired to connect two instruments on the same line the switch in the conductor 2 of the calling subscriber is opened and the remaining selectors are actuated by the central operator opening and closing the switch 4, the number of times required to connect the desired instrument through its sub-circuit, which is closed by the mercury contact 35 engaging the terminal 34, when the subscriber may close his manually operated switch, his telephone instrument being connected with the main circuit by the selecting device remaining in the normal position. The condenser mentioned before might be dispensed with,

but as speech may be transmitted through it, the operator or subscriber can be informed by the reply of the person called or by the central operator, of the proper time to close his switch to improve the talking circuit.

In reference to Fig. 9, it will be seen that intercommunication may be had between instrun'ients I and H1 in the above manner if the selecting device connected to the former is rendered inoperative by opening the switch in the conductor 2 and the central operator actuates the selectors or instruments II and III, three times, thereby clos ing the circuit to the latter, leaving the instrument II off the line, and operates the calling signal of station 3 by closing the switch 100. Then the subscriber at station I closing his switch is connected to the circuit, the parts of the selector of this instrument being in the normal position. The operation may be reversed, as will be understood.

A. selecting apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention consists of but few parts which are simple in form and may be easily assembled.

W's claim as our invention:

1. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit, contacts arranged in the instrument circuit and means for separating them, of a separate movable controlling member carrying the contacts and normally holding them closed, a magnet, an armature cooperating therewith for operating the controlling member to allow the instrument circuit to be opened independently thereof and a device on said member adapted to subsequently move said contacts into engagement, a circuit for operating the armature and a current generator therein.

2. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit and contacts arranged in the instrument circuit one of which is movable relatively to the other, a freely movable oscillatory member carrying said contacts normally operating to disengage them, of a controlling mechanism operating the member to move said contacts into engagement, a magnet, an armature for actuating said mechanism to liberate the member, a circuit for operating the armature and a current generator for the circuit.

3. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit, contacts therein one of which is movable relatively to the other and means for disengaging them, of a controlling member normally holding said contacts in engagement, of a magnet, an armature cooperating therewith for operating the controlling member in one direction to release the contacts and a device on said member for subsequently closing the contacts after their release by the controlling member.

4:. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit, and an oscillatory member containing contacts for the instrument circuit, a gravity operated switch de vice actuated by the member to open and close said circuit, of a governing device controlling the member and normally holding the instrument circuit closed, an electromagnetic device for operating said governing device to disconnect the instrument circuit and means on the governing device for subsequently operating the member to close said circuit, a circuit for the electromagnetic device and a current generator for the circuit.

5. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit, an oscillatory member containing contacts therefor and a switch operated by the movement of the member to open and close said circuit, of a controlling device operating the member to normally close the switch, an electromagnetic device for operating the controlling device in one direction to open the switch and by continued movement in the same direction to subsequently close the switch, a circuit for the electromagnetic device and a current generator therefor.

6. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit and a movable member containing separated contacts therefor, of a switch for connecting said contacts controlled by the movement of the member, means for operating the member to move the switch into an inoperative position, a controlling device engaging the member and normally holding the switch in an operative position, said device being also adapted to engage the member and operate it to move the switch into the last mentioned position, an electromagnetic device for operating the controlling device, a circuit therefor and a current generator for the circuit.

7. The combination with a main circuit, an instrui'nent circuit and a pivoted member containing separate contacts for the instrument circuit, of a movable switch operated by the movement of the member to open and close said circuit, a controller normally operating the member to close the circuit and means for operating the member to break the circuit, an operating linger on said con troller for returning the member to its normal position, and an electromagnetic device for operating the controller, a circuit for said device and a current generator therein.

8. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instrument circuit, an oscillatory member having contacts for said circuit and a switch adapted to connect and disconnect said contacts and operated by the movement of the member, of means operating the latter to disconnect the contacts, a controller engaging the member to normally hold it in a position to close the circuit and also provided with means for subsequently operating the member into its normal position after it has been operated to permit said circuit to be opened, and an electromagnetic device for operating the controller, a circuit for said device and a current gene 'ator therein.

9. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instrument circuit, an oscillatory member having contacts for said circuit, and a switch adapt ed to connect and disconnect said contacts and operated by the movement of the member, of means operating the latter to disconnect the circuit, a controller having a finger cooperating with the member to normally hold it in a position to close the circuit, a second finger arranged on the con troller and adapted to cooperate with the member to return it to normal position when it has been released by the first finger and an electromagnetic device for operating the controller, a circuit therefor and a current generator for the circuit.

10. In a selector for electrically operated instruments the combination with an instrument circuit, a pivoted member having contacts for said circuit and a switch adapted to open and close said contacts, and operated by the movement of the member, of means for operating the member to move the switch in one direction, a controller having a finger engaging the member at one side oi. its pivot to move the member and cause the operation of the switch in the opposite direction and a second linger on the controller cooperating with the member at the opposite side of its pivot to move it in the same direction as the first mentioned linger and devices for operating the controller.

11. In a selector for electrically operated instruments the combination with an instrument circuit, a movable member having contacts for said circuit and a switch adapted to open and close the circuit through said contacts and operated by the movement of the member, of means for moving the member to open the circuit, a controller having a finger engaging the member and movable in one direction to close the circuit, means for operating the controller in the opposite direction and a second finger thereon adapted to actuate the member into a position to close the circuit.

12. In a selector for electrically operated instruments the combination with an instrument circuit, a movable member having contacts for said circuit and a switch adapted to open and close the circuit through said contacts and operated by the movement of the member, a retaining device cooperating with the member to normally close the circuit and means for operating the member to open said circuit, of a progressively movable controlling member operating to release the retaining device and adapted to cooperate with the member to close the circuit and means for operating and restoring the controller.

13. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instrument circuit, a movable member having contacts for said circuit and a switch adapted to open and close said contacts and operated by the movement of the member, of a member for opening the contacts, a progressively movable controller having a retaining device cooperating with the member to normally close the circuit, a trip carried on the controllc' and engaging the member to close the circuit, electromagnetic devices for operating the controller and restoring it to its normal position, a circuit for said device and a current generator therefor.

ll. I11 a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with a pivoted member having contacts for said circuit, and a switch operated by the movement oi said member and adapted to open and close said circuit, of a target arranged to counter balance said member and operate it to open said circuit, a controller normally operating to hold the member in a position to close the circuit, an electromagnetic device for operating the controller, a circuit therefor and a current generator therein.

15. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instrument circuit, a switch therein and a pivoted member for operating the switch, of a target arranged to counterbalance said member and operate it to open said circuit, a controller normally operating to hold the member in a position to close the circuit, an electromagnetic device for operating the con troller, a circuit therefor and a current generator therein.

16. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with a pivoted oscillatory member having insulated contacts for its instrument circuit and a switch carried on the member and operated to open and close said circuit by the movement of the member, of a target on the member operating it in one direction to open the circuit, a controller normally holding the member against the operation of the target, an electromagnetic device for operating the controller, a circuit therefor and a current generator therein.

17. In a selector for electrically operated instruments the combination with an instrument circuit, a pivoted barrel carrying terminals for said circuit, and a movable contact in the barrel cooperating with the terminals, means for operating the barrel to move the contact to disconnect the terminals, a controller having a finger engaging the barrel to tilt it to cause the contact to normally engage the terminals, of an adjustable finger on the controller also adapted to tilt the barrel, a rack on the controller and a ratchet cooperating therewith, a pawl, an electromagnetic device for operating it, a circuit for said device and a current generator therefor.

18. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instrument circuit, terminals therefor and a movable contact for connecting them, of a controller comprising a segmental arm, means for operating it step by step, a rigid finger adjustably secured to the arm operating the contact to close the circuit when said controller is in one or another of the successive positions into which it is moved.

19. In a selector for electrically operated instruments the combination with an instrument circuit, terminals therefor and a movable contact for closing the circuit through them, of a controller, a finger thereon adapted to operate the contact and a rack on the controller, a pivoted electromagnetic device, a pawl thereon and actuated into engagement with the rack when said device is moved in one direction, a ratchet retaining the controller in actuated position, and means operated by the movement of the elec tromagnetic device in the opposite direction for disengaging the ratchet, a circuit for the electromagnetic device and a current generator therein.

20. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instrument circuit, terminals therefor, and a mov able contact device cooperating therewith, of a pivoted controlling member normally engaging said device to close the circuit and having a segment, a finger adjustably mounted on the latter and adapted to operate the movable contact and means for moving the controlling member.

21. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instru ment circuit, terminals therefor, and a movable contact device cooperating therewith, of a pivoted controlling member normally operating said device to close the circuit and having a segment provided with apertures, a finger adapted to cooperate with the movable contact and adjustable in the several apertures in the segment and means for operating the controlling member step by step to alternately open and close the instrument circuit.

22. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instrument circuit, terminals therefor, and a movable contact device cooperating therewith, of a pivoted controlling member cooperating with said contact, a rack bar on the member and a movable electromagnetic operating device, a pawl pivotally mounted on the latter and engaging the rack bar when operated in one direction, a finger on the pawl engaging the operating device to move the pawl out of engagement when said device is moved in a different direction and a ratchet cooperating with the rack.

23. In a selector for electrically operated instruments, the combination with an instrument circuit, terminals therefor and a movable contact device cooperating with said terminals, a controlling member, a rack bar on the member and a pivoted electromagnetic operating device, a pawl pivotally mounted on the latter and engaging the rack bar when operated in one direction, a finger on the pawl engaging the operating device to move the pawl out of engagement with the rack bar when said device is operated in a differentdirectiou, a pivoted ratchet engaging the rack bar and a finger thereon cooperating with the operating device to disengage the ratchet when said device is operated to disengage the pawl.

24. In a circuit controller, the combination with a metallic barrel forming one terminal of a circuit and having an insulated contact forming the other terminal of the circuit and pivotal supports for the barrel arranged eccentrically at the ends of the barrel, of a movable contact controlled by the oscillatory movement of the barrel for connecting said circuit terminals, of a controller having mei'nbers cooperating with the barrel at opposite sides of its pivot and an electromagnetic device for operating the controller.

25. The combination with a main circuit, a current generator therein and a plurality of sub-circnits, a selector for each sub-circuit containing terminals therefor and a movable device operating to disconnect them, of a controller for each device normally operating it to close its respective circuit, means for operating the controllers Simultaneously and fingers on each of the latter arranged at different relative distances from the same point common to each device, whereby they will cooperate successively with their respective movable contacts to close them.

26. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit and a calling circuit bridged to the main circuit and having naling devices operated thereby, of a movable member controlling contacts arranged in the instrument circuit and forming one terminal of the calling circuit, a device for controlling the member forming the other terminal of said circuit and means for operating it into engagement with the member to close both the signaling and instrument circuits.

27. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit and a calling circuit bridged to the main circuit and having signaling devices operated thereby, of a movable member controlling contacts arranged in the instrument circuit having a projection thereon forming one terminal of the calling circuit, a device for controlling the member having a finger forming the other terminal of said circuit and means for operating the controlling device to actuate the movable member and close the calling circuit.

28. The combination with a main circuit, an instrmnent circuit, and a pivoted barrel forming one terminal of the instrrnnent circuit and having projections extending at opposite sides thereof, an insulated contact point arranged on the barrel and forming the other terminal of the instrument circuit, and a movable contact piece adapted to engage the contact point and the barrel and controlled by the movement of the latter, of means for moving the barrel to open the instrument circuit, a controlling device embodying a finger adapted to engage one of the projections to operate the barrel to normally close said circuit and a second finger adapted to cooperate with the other projection to operate the barrel in a similar manner when released by the first finger and means for operating the controlling device.

29 The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit and a pivoted barrel forming one terminal of the instrument circuit, and having projections extending at opposite sides of its pivot, an insulated contact point arranged on the barrel and torming the other terminal. ol the inst rumcnl circuit, and means for sealing said terminals operated by the movement of the barrel, ot means tor moving the latter to break the seal, a controlling device adapted to alternately engage the projections on the barrel when moving in opposite directions to operate it to close said instrument circuit and means for operating the controlling device.

30. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit and a pivoted barrel forming one terminal of the instrument circuit, and having projections extending at opposite sides of its pivot, an insulated contact point arranged on the barrel and forming the other terminal of the instrument circuit, and means for sealing said terminals operated by the movement. of the barrel, of means for moving the latter to break the seal, a controlling device having a linger engaging one of the contacts to normally close the instrument circuit, a second finger adapted to engage the other projection to operate the barrel in the same manner, means for adjusting the second finger relatively to the first and means for operating the controlling device.

31. The combination with a main circuit, an instrument circuit, and a calling circuit having signaling devices operated thereby, a pivoted member forming one terminal of the instrument circuit and having an insulated projection and a contact linger forming one terminal of the calling circuit, an insulated contact arranged on the member and forming the other terminal ol the instrument circuit and means for sealing said instrument terminals, of means for operating the member to break the seal, a controlling member having a linger cooperating with the insulated projection to operate the member to close the instrument circuit and a second finger on said device forming the other terminal of the calling circuit and adapted to cooperate with the linger on the barrel, and means for operating the controlling device to close the instrument and -alling circuits.

32. In a selecting apparatus for electrically operated instruments having an instrument circuit, the combination with a hollow pivoted member -t'orn'iing one terminal of said circuit, an insulated point arranged in the member and forming the other terminal of said circuit, and a seal movable into and out of engagement with said point, of an arm attached to the member and normally operating it to open the instrument circuit, a controlling device having fingers engaging the member at opposite sides of the pivot to operate it to close said circuit, an electromagnetic device for operating the controlling device, a circuit therefor and a current generator.

33. In a selecting apparatus for electrically operated instruments, having an instrument circuit, the combination with a hollow pivoted metallic member forming one terminal of the instrument circuit, an insulated point arranged in the member and forming the other terminal of said circuit, and mercury contained in the member and operated by the movement thereof to open and close the instrument circuit, of a target attached to the member and overbalancing the latter to operate the member to open said circuit, 1

CHARLES E. NICHOLAS. WILLARD Gr. RICH.

Witnesses:

FLORENCE N. HOWARD, Gr. l/VILLARD RICH. 

